Japanese Artwork inspired by the World's First Novel Jigsaw Puzzle

 

Disclosure: I was sent a this puzzle in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have been loving my puzzles but I am also loving learning about the picture on the puzzle. Today's puzzle is a woodblock print by Kuniteru Utagawa called Song of the Four Seasons: Summer created in 1853. It depicts a scene from the famous novel, The Tale of Genji written by Murasaki Shikibu. The Tale of Genji is considered to be the first novel in the world. It was written in the 11th century. You can learn more about the novel here. The picture on the puzzle is of Prince Genji with his companions in a Japanese garden on a summer's evening. 

The puzzle is called A Japanese Garden in Summertime 1000 Pieces Jigsaw Puzzle. The finished size of the puzzle is 14 x 18 inches. The puzzle pieces are small but the puzzle itself went together pretty easily.

From what I have read on-line about The Tale of Genji, it is an adult novel about relationships. It does not sound appropriate for kids however the time period had some strict rules about women being seen in public. I find it interesting that it was written by a woman. The puzzle itself was easy to do and it shares a bit of what a Japanese garden was like in this time period and perhaps how one was used.

Be sure to check out our other reviews of jigsaw puzzles!